The Portland daily press., 1887-11-14
CONCERNING BOOKS.
BY e. cAvAxzA.


impression at first sight by the grave SIM
plicity of its dress. And this quality Of so-
berness and unostentation is equally charac-
'eiise'c oil the contents of the book. 1t is
quite possible that Mr.. Scudder relies too en-
tlrely upon the sincere and careful express
sion OF his thought, and disregards more
than Is for his own advantage the modern
temper OF the reading public, which expects
not only competent comment, but n certain
brilliant point and novelty that shall compel
attention. This personal appeal to the read
or is rarely made by Mr.. Scudder; his ESSAYS
SAVIOR OF the library. and not of the literary
journal or cOterie. His work is so good that
little effort on his part to emphasize, with
perhaps an epigram here and an illustration
there, would scarcely fail to find its reward.
lie writes somewhat In the manner of the
men OF the beginning of our century, when
readers enjoyed volume for its genuine
worth, and depended less upon artistic SEN
sations to win and retain their interest.
Nevertheless Mr.. Scudder's quiet manner
does not lack its own shy charm.
OF the eleven essays grouped under the
title OF Men and Letters, those upon Long
fellow and his Art American History on the
Stage, and The Future of Shakespeare pre-
sent the greatest attraction to the general
reader. while the essay upon Lander offers
excellent literary judgment. In finely per-
ceptiye paragraph Mr.. Scudder pays tribute
to the strong influence Of Mr.. Longfellow's
large and evenly developed instinct for art.
upon the artistic growth of America.
Poetry. the pioneer" he says, .led after II in
rapia succession the graphic and constructive arts
1 duu Music. NOW trace This inf1 N 30
poetry most distinctly in the case of Longfeliows
wo s,, not only was his poetry itself instinct
drew Within The circle Of his art great variety Of
Illustration aud suggestion from the other arts
Inc subjects which he chose for his verse often
comp lied the Interpretation OF older examples Of
arr. lie mad catholic taste, and his rich decora-
eion OF simple themes was the most persuasive
agency at work In familiariZng Americans with
Ine treasures OF art and legend in the Old World
Even when dealing expressly with American sub
OF maturer civilization that he was constantly
ny reference and allusion. carrying the reader on
| voyage 70 Europe. Before museums were es
tablished in the cities. and before his countrymen
nag Degun 70 30 In shoals to the Old World, Long
fellow had IN hi. verse made them sharers in tie
rches OF art IL Is not too much to say that he
was the most potent individual force for culture
~ America. and the rapid spread OF Ia to and en-
pie near the end Of hislong and honorable career,
may be referred more distinctly to his influence
imam 10 that OF any other American.
1t should be said here that the passage
Just quoted is from supposititious history
! of the civilization of America, to be written
In future by the coming ''judcious histo-
rlan," as Mr.. Scudder names the stately
mime behind whose mask and upon whose
cothurnus he permits himself language less
restrained than is his won't The iudicious
historian does not belle his adjective. and
| we have to thank Mr.. Scudder for allowing
us to read the advance sheets Of his chroni-
Gle.
1t was natural instinct that suggested to
MIR. Scudder to set so synthetic a judg-
ment far in the future, that it could have the
advantage Of perspective, which in one. at
least, OF its relations of time or space, is al
most needful to literary criticism. Indeed
the essayist has formulated this feeling
where he says Of Mr.. Longfellow:
Inc residence In Europe made him eager for his
| back with rush the recolention Of Enropean
scenes. In both cases the artist was employing
What was remote shaped itself more definitely
into picturesque relations to his mind
And If this instinct is true with regard to
events and scenes, it is much mole constrain-
ing when the personal elcment--with its re-
latlons of acquaintance, courtesy. difference
OF opinion or artistic sympathy-enters the
equation.
Mr.. Scudder, In praising the exquisite and
sustained hexameters of Mr.. Longfelow, by
some curious confusion of figures, presents
Eodngeline as a 'hexametrical beast Of bur
den"-whcther horse, camel or elephant is
not stated. but merely that the pathway of
English poetry is strewn with the bones of
such. The adjective applied recalls the re-
AffQmnf Af Al.
imagine man of four dimensions. Since. in
this very review it has been suggested that
illustrations would enliven the style of these
generally fine essays, it seems appropriate to
protest against this one, which moments
use of Mr.. Scudder's sense of humor and
comparison would have omitted.
But, leaving aside this brief lapse from
good taste, the essayist's perception of the
fitness and beauty of the employment Of the
hexameter in Erangeline is both fine and
well expressed. Mr.. Scudders considera-
ton OF the noble devotion of Mr. Longfel
lows art In the Christus, is extremely SYM
pathetic; while it still remains for some
essayist to note at their full value and with
detail. the marvellous technical beauties of
this portion Of the Divine Tragedy; the re-
~~NN.~ef ~ oASN SioooAS duu 0HIlstldU, OF lLS
outlines, the mastery magic with which the
poet compelled the phrases Of the King
James version to form the mosaic of his
altarpiece. Again, the reader will not fail
TO admire Mr. Scudder's comment upon the
Michael angelo, in which he recognizes the
constant presence of Mr.. Longfollow him
self, wise, calm, reflective, musing over the
large thoughts of life and art" And not
less appreciative is his summing up of the
Unborn traits and the requirements which
made Mr.. Longfellow the typical poet, re-
ceptive and reflective Of every form of hap
piness and beauty, adding good and content
ment to the world In which he lived
In his case, says Mr.. Scudder the gift of nature
winch made him an artist to his fnger-tps was re-
nj. mind with multitude of familiar figures and
forms, and behind all lay a sane, reverent charac-
Yer which constantly obeyed the impulse to work,
1t is this harmony and luminous virtue of
the poets life that shine like martle statue
in the simple perfection of his biography.
prepared by his brother, Mr.. Samuel Lsng-
fellow. In reading again and again the
pages OF this ideal memoir, return the words
OF letter received from friend in Italy,
| priest OF the Roman church, man enthusi-
astic for literature and humanity. "How
happy is America" he wrote, "her great
poets are also her great saints" And think
| ing of the daily beauty Of the life and work
of Mr.. Longfellow and the consecrated fire
and song of Mr.. Whittier, the expression
seems unexaggerated, and touching tribute
from the priest who cares for the flock of
souls in his parish among the foothills of the
Italian Alps.
So much of comment has already been sug-
gested by Mr.. Scudder's volume, that it is
possible to touch but briefly upon his inge-
NOUS plea for the maintainment of the popu-
lar interest in American history awakened
during the Centennial obseryances, by means
OF dramas, to be founded on national events
and played in the theatres He admits that
the Revolution was lacking in dramatic in
terest; and the reader recognizes in him the
"judicious historian" when he suggests that
Development is a more fitting term than
Revolution, for the war of Independence.
He looks to history as the link which is to
reunite literature and the stage and considers
| that familiarity with subject is the neces-